I have grown and propagated sundews for over 3 years and in this guide I will show you exactly how to feed your Drosera

Feed a Sundew by dropping tiny insects , fish pellets, of Maxsea fertilizer drops in their sticky leaves. Feeding 2-3 pieces of food in a single leaf every 2-4 week is enough to provide substance and promote growth.

Here is a quick summary and you can keep on reading for the complete explanation

• What to feed sundews: small live or dead insects, such as gnats or mosquitoes, fish food, Maxsea fertilizer drops, or freeze dried insects.
• How often to feed Sundews: Feed your plant once every 2-4 weeks. Skip feeding if it is still digesting the previous meal.
• How much to feed: 2-3 tiny insects in a single leaf are enough to provide substantial nutrients.

Why Do Sundews Need to Consume Insects

Sundews are carnivorous plants that live in very poor growing conditions. Their natural habitat lacks many of the nutrients plants need to survive. For that reason they developed the capability to trap and consume insects.

The insects Sundews consume are important as they provide a lot of nutrients they can’t get from the soil or water. However, it is important to know, consuming insects is not. q hard requirement.

Sundew plants do not require consuming insects to survive. They usually capture their own prey, but if they are unable to do so, they can be healthy without it. The nutrients Sundews extract from insects help promote quicker growth, but are not a requirement for survival.

Even though feeding is beneficial it can be done wrong. feeding sundew incorrectly can kill leaves and even the whole plant so keep on reading for no-fail instructions.

Best and Worst Food for Sundews

Sundews are not picky in terms of food. However, the size is pretty important considering Sundews are usually in the smaller side.

Best Food Options for Sundews

These are some great options to feed your Sundew:

1.- Live or dead small insects: mosquitoes, gnats, fruit flies, ants

I have had best success with small insects as they are easy to digest and can be consumed within a few weeks without attracting mold or pests.

Sundews can consume and extract key nutrients from dead or live insects.

In many cases, I just leave the plants in a windowsill and the sundews are great at catching random gnats on their own.

You can catch live or dead insects on your own or simply buying them at the pet store. Dead insects work better since you will only need one or two every few weeks.

2.- Freeze-dried bugs: freeze-dried insects such as mealworms or bloodworms

Freeze-dried worms are great because they are already dead, inexpensive , and a single container will last you ages. You can check this link to Amazon to check it out. You can also buy these are pet stores or online shops.

3.- Maxsea fertilizer drops

You can dilute 16-16-16 Maxsea fertilizer and add a few drops in a couple of leafs to provide plenty of nutrients. Also, Maxsea is great for fly traps and pitcher plants. Here is a link to check availability and purchase in Amazon.com.

4.- Fish food

Fish foods come with plenty of nutrients. You can break them down and place them in the leaves or dilute with distilled water to create a paste.

Worst Food Options for Sundews

Never give human food such as raw meat, chicken, salami, candy, fruit, or cheese. Sundews won’t be able to consume it and the plant could die or at least lose some leaves. All these are a big no no

• Hamburger
• Chicken
• Sausage
• Salami
• Raw meat
• Candy
• Fruit
• Steak
• Hotdog
• Cheese

Also, never use large bugs for a small sundews. For example cockroaches and large crickets will just remain in the leaf for weeks without digesting them entirely. It is best to stick small insects only.

How to Feed Sundews Step by Step

How to feed a Sundew will depend greatly from the food you chose to use. Here are the instructions for the ones I recommend:

• Live or dead small insects
• Freeze-dried insects
• Maxsea fertilizer drops
• Fish pellets

The links can help you find a place to buy these.

Using live or dead bugs

Feeding insects to Sundews is my preferred method. It is just very easy.

Grab two to three small bugs and stick them to the leaves of your sundew plant. Place the insects in two or three leaves and let your plant digest the bug. It usually takes 2-4 weeks depending on the size.

Feeding a few leaves provides enough substance for the complete plant and lowers risk of the whole plant turning black.

Feeding Freeze-dried insects

Using freeze-dried insects is very practical as you don’t have to go hunt for live bugs.

Freeze-dried mealworms, bloodworms, or crickets are too large for feeding a sundew. But luckily, you can break them down into small pieces. The aim is to feed your plant something as small as a gnat or smaller fly.

Grind freeze fried insects and add a few drops of distilled water. Mix and add more water until you create a paste.

Finally place small drops of the paste in a couple of leaves. 2-4 drops (the size of a grain of rice) are enough.

Making and feeding Maxsea fertilizer drops for your Sundew

Maxsea is a recommended and trusted fertilizer for carnivorous plants. It is also affordable and very easy to prepare.

First, never fertilize the soil of your plant. You will use these fertilizer to drop it in the leaves. Fertilizer in the soil will kill sundews.

Use 1/4 of a teaspoon of Maxsea fertilizer diluted in a gallon of distilled water. Mix well and use a pipette to add 2-3 drops in a couple of Sundew leaves. Repeat once a month for best results.

It is sometimes a challenge to keep the drops in the leaves so be very careful and use a pipette or something similar to drop the fertilizer with precision.

Using fish food for feeding

Using fish pellets as food for Sundews is straight forward.

You can break down the pellets into small pieces and place in the leaves or create a paste.

Create a fish food paste by grinding or smashing the food and adding drops of distilled water until the mixture is even. It does not have to be a perfect mixture.

Place the paste or fish food pieces in a couple of leaves 3-4 bits is enough for the whole Sundew. Repeat once the food in completely consumed, which usually takes a month.

Here is a link to fish food you can use.

Sundew Feeding Tips

• Grow your plant outside if you do not want to worry about feeding your plant. Sundews are very effective at capturing prey.
• Avoid using large insects and sticking them to your plant. large insects will stay there for months, attract mold and smell terrible.
• If you do not have the time or energy to feed your plant. Skip it. Sundews do not need the nutrients to survive. your plant can be completely healthy without it.
• Never drop any type of food to the soil of your plant. Nutrients in the soil kill drosera plants!
• Only feed your sundew once every 2-4 weeks and check first of the plant might still be consuming its last meal before feeding.
• When feeding select one or two leaves and add food to those exclusively. Why? Because feeding can cause black leaves. You want to avoid killing multiple leaves at the time and this will prevent it.

Sundew Care 101

Here is a short growing guide on sundews and how to keep them healthy

Soil: Employ nutrient-free and fertilizer-free potting media. Combining a mixture of peat moss or sphagnum moss with peat or silica sand is an excellent option. Do not use Miracle-Gro. This article lists the best soil options and tips to pot your plant.

Pots: Chose plastic or glazed ceramic pots for your sundew and avoid terracotta and clay. Selecting the wrong pot can end up killing you plant. This article can help you choose the perfect container for your plants.

Lighting: Sundew plants need lots of light. Employ artificial or natural light and provide a minimum amount of 6 hours of light. Optimally, provide 8-12 hours of light.

Temperature needs: Temperarure requirements vary across different varieties of Sundews. Some Drosera undergo dormancy and need a change in climate during the summer or winter months.

Watering needs: Keep the soil humid at all times. Water often or employ the water tray method to keep the soil moist. Here are the complete instructions to water sundews to perfection.

Feeding: Feeding is not required and outdoor plants capture their own food. When feeding, employ bugs and only feed once or twice a month.

Trimming: Trim dead leaves when necessary. Please do not cut off leaves until they have entirely dead.

Humidity needs: Keep humidity levels above 40% and 70%. A humidifier is a practical solution for dry indoor locations.

Use of Fertilizers: Avoid fertilizing to prevent damage.

Outdoor vs. Indoor growth: Assess if your indoor or outdoor environment is the most suitable for your Drosera plant. A good strategy is to research about their natural habitat and try to replicate the environment.

For more information, you can read my additional guides and articles on Sundews.

Sundews require soil that has no nutrients, preserves moisture, and proper drainage. Sphagnum moss, peat moss, perlite, and silica sand are common ingredients for carnivorous potting media for Drosera.

When I first started growing carnivorous plants, I did not know about their soil consideration. Most plants grow in almost any soil, but Sundews are special, standard potting mixes won’t do.

After research and personal experience caring for my plants, I have learned how to grow Sundews, Pitcher plants, and Venus flytraps.

In this guide, I will help you select the suitable soil for your Sundew and decide whether to make it yourself or buy it online. I have included some links to online shops to make it easy for you.

Suitable Potting Media for Sundews

Sundews are very unique plants and like most carnivorous plants, they have very specific requirements.

Drosera are extremely sensitive to the minerals you find in most soil and water. Nutrients present in the soil can kill Sundews.

Sundew plants thrive when planted in low-nutrient environments.

Carnivorous plant soil is suitable for growing Sundews. The soil is commonly made up of a combination of pure peat moss, long fiber sphagnum moss, silica sand, or perlite. The soil must not contain nutrients and requires proper drainage.

Carnivorous plant soil for Drosera is commonly made up of these ingredients:

• Long-fibered sphagnum moss
• Peat moss
• Silica sand
• Perlite

All of these elements must be completely pure and without any additives. Most gardening stores sell Miracle Gro peat moss which is loaded with fertilizers and will kill your Drosera.

You can buy online carnivorous plant soil which is completely safe for Drosera. I have used a couple of different soil mixes over the years with my sundews, venus flytrap, and pitcher plants. Here are the links to some I have used in the past and worked great.

• Sphagnum Moss and Perlite Potting Mix for Carnivorous Plants
• Peat and Perlite Carnivorous Plant Soil

The hyperlinks are affiliate links that will take you to Amazon.com. You can check the prices there, but most soil bags cost less than $20.

It is also possible to make Sundew soil at home by following some general recipes I have listed below. Making the soil is easy and very inexpensive.

My Drosera Natalensis Growing in Carnivorous Plant Soil (a combination of peat moss and perlite)

Sundew Soil Recipes with Ingredient List

If you end up buying premade carnivorous plant soil mixes, that guarantees the soil is completely safe for your Drosera. Making your own soil is a great option too but you must ensure to be extra careful choosing the ingredients as mistakes can ruin your soil mixture.

Each element you use to make the sundew soil must be completely pure; it can’t contain any nutrients or fertilizers. Any typoes of additives will ruin the mixture and harm your plant.

When you buy the ingredients always ask: does it have fertilizers? any additives? The answer should be resounding “no”.

The pictures below are some examples of nutrient-free perlite and peat moss:

These are some excellent examples of Sundew potting media recipes:

• 3:1 Long-fibered sphagnum moss and silica sand
• 3:1 Long-fibered sphagnum moss and perlite
• 2:1 or 3:1 Peat moss and perlite
• 2:1:1 Peat moss, sand, and perlite

Less optimal options:

• 100% long-fibered sphagnum moss
• 100% peat moss

You can plant Drosera in pure moss, but it is not optimal. Pure moss contains no additives and retains moisture, which is suitable for these plants. However, pure moss does not offer enough drainage. Many experienced growers can pot Sundews in pure moss with success, but this is not always the case when you are getting started.

Make Sundew soil by combining one type of moss with sand or perlite. For example, you can employ a 3:1 ratio of peat moss and perlite. Or a 3:1 ratio of long-fibered sphagnum moss with sand. The ratio do not have to be exact, but including sand or perlite is very beneficial.

For best results, avoid employing pure peat or sphagnum moss. Instead, add some perlite or silica sand to help break up the soil, prevent compression, and promote growth.

Perlite or sand in the soil can make a big difference when growing carnivorous plants. They prevent root rot, provide aeration, and preserve the ground for more seasons.

The recipes on the list are some ideas for soil mixes I have used. The main priority is to get the right ingredients. The ratios I described are not as critical. If you do use silica sand or perlite, make sure a combination of such accounts for at least 20% of the mixture. That way you will be able to observe all the positive effects.

Sundew Planting Instructions: Potting and Repotting

Sundews do not need to be repotted every season or every year. These plants can live happily and thrive in the same container for a few years.

Repotting Sundews into fresh soil every 2 years helps promote growth and prevent rotting. The ultimate season to transplant drosera is in early spring or during dormancy.

Materials to Pot a Sundew

Make sure you have the correct soil, water, tray, and pot before you get started.

Soil: Employ carnivorous plant soil. You can buy it or make it with the instructions from this article.

Water: Use pure water with no nutrients or additives. Distilled water, reverse osmosis water, and rainwater are safe alternatives. I buy distilled water at the grocery store for about $1 a gallon.

Pot: As a general rule select glazed ceramic, plastic, and resin pots for Sundews. Smaller Sundews grow well on 3-4 inch containers while larger plants prefer 5- 10 inch pots. The pots must contain enough drainage holes. For more information on choosing a container, check out this guide: How to Select Pots for Sundews.

Tray: Get a plastic tray to use for watering. The height of the tray should be at least 1/3 of the size of the pot.

You can read through the steps below or watch my YouTube video to see how I plant some brand new Sundews I bought last year: https://youtu.be/HKmKra-c-Kk

Sundew Planting Instructions

1. Gather the carnivorous plant soil, a pot, a tray, and pure water.
2. Use a large container to mix the soil and moisten it with pure water. Make sure is completely humid throughout and set aside.
3. If your plant is in old soil, use your hands to loosen up the media on the edges of the pot.
4. Turn the pot upside down while holding the top of the pot with your hand (preventing the plant from falling to the ground)
5. Gently, pull the plant and the soil out of the container.
6. Use more water to remove as much of the potting media as possible. For best results, use a spray bottle.
7. Trim any dead foliage. Bare root plants are easy to trim.
8. If you employ peat moss, place the humid moss in the pot, make a hole in the soil and insert the plant. If you use sphagnum moss, grab a chunk of moss and surround the roots with it, then insert it all into the pot.
9. Push the soil down gently with your fingers to check for any air gaps. Add more soil if needed. The ground must be set in place but should not be compacted.
10. Water the pot from the top to set the soil.
11. Pay extra attention to your plant in the next 1-3 weeks. Most plants will be down for a few weeks after planting. Make sure to avoid stress.
12. Bonus: Use an air duster to remove any dirt that gets stuck in your Sundew. Use it carefully to avoid removing too much dew.

Sundew Growing Guide

Follow these care instructions to build a proper setup and keep your Sundew plant alive and happy

Soil: Employ nutrient-free and fertilizer-free potting media. Combining a mixture of peat moss or sphagnum moss with peat or silica sand is an excellent option. Do not use Miracle-Gro.

Lighting: Sundew plants need lots of light. Employ artificial or natural light and provide a minimum amount of 6 hours of light. Optimally, provide 8-12 hours of light.

Temperature needs: Temperarure requirements vary across different varieties of Sundews. Some Drosera undergo dormancy and need a change in climate during the summer or winter months.

Watering needs: Keep the soil humid at all times. Water often or employ the water tray method to keep the soil moist.

Feeding: Feeding is not required and outdoor plants capture their own food. When feeding, employ bugs and only feed once or twice a month.

Trimming: Trim dead leaves when necessary. Please do not cut off leaves until they have entirely dead.

Humidity needs: Keep humidity levels above 40% and 70%. A humidifier is a practical solution for dry indoor locations.

Use of Fertilizers: Avoid fertilizing to prevent damage.

Outdoor vs. Indoor growth: Assess if your indoor or outdoor environment is the most suitable for your Drosera plant. A good strategy is to research about their natural habitat and try to replicate the environment.

For more information, you can read my additional guides and articles on Sundews.

Choosing the appropriate container to grow Sundews also called Drosera is a critical part to keep them healthy. In this article, I will help you select the best pots for Sundews and give you some recommendations.

As a general rule select glazed ceramic, plastic, and resin pots for Sundews. Smaller Sundews grow well on 3-4 inch containers while larger plants prefer 5- 10 inch pots. The pots must contain enough drainage holes to avoid root rot and molding.

The size, material, and color of the pot can affect the health of your plant. Here you can find the recommended specification for choosing growing containers.

The Best Containers and Pots for Sundews

I have used several pots and containers that work well for carnivorous plants.

You can select any pot that meets the specifications from the table above. But, if you are looking to buy something that works right away, I recommend this pot if you are looking: https://amzn.to/3IYVGKU. Also, the pots are square which makes arranging multiple ones together very easy

The link will take you to Amazon.com, where you can check the price. They have proper drainage, and the plastic is safe for your plants. There are more expensive pots that could work too, but I tend to gravitate toward nursery plastic because of the affordability and endurance.

These are the key considerations when selecting a pot for your Sundew:

Pot Material: 

When selecting a container, first inspect the material. Terra cotta, metal, clay, and concrete pots leach minerals into the soil, and those minerals are harmful to Sundews. It is difficult to estimate how much minerals will materials leach so I recommend staying away from those materials. Those minerals are usually harmless to most plants, but they are toxic for Pitcher Plants.

For best results, employ materials like plastic, resin, or glazed ceramic. Those materials are completely safe for Sundews.

Glass pots are acceptable container materials. They do not leak any type of element into the soil, but insulation can be a challenge. Make sure to avoid extreme temperatures if using metal or glass pots.

Drainage: 

Avoid using containers with no drainage. It will be extremely difficult to water Sundews properly without drainage.

Container Size: 

The size of the pot you use depends on the size of your plants. However, do not worry too much about the sizing as it is not extremely critical. 3-4 inches work well for small sundews like Natalensis and Venusta, 5-10 inch pots are suitable for forked drosera.

You can grow multiple sundews in the same container. Sundews are easy to care for and as long as you give them a couple of inches of spacing between each other they won’t be competing for space. Planting them in a single large container definitely makes a pretty sight full of colors

Color: 

The color of the pot can influence the insulation of your plant. Avoid dark color pots if you keep your plants outdoors under direct sunlight. White pots work best in very hot climates.

Airflow:

Closed containers, such as domes or terrariums, are not recommended for carnivorous plants. Without appropriate airflow mold and algae can start to grow throughout.

Sundew: How to Pot and Repot

Sundews do not need to be repotted very often. These plants can live happily in the same container for a few years.

Repotting Sundews into fresh soil every 2 years helps promote growth and prevent rotting. The ultimate season to repot drosera is in early spring or during dormancy.

Make sure you have the correct soil, water, and pot before you get started by going over the requirements below. Then, watch this video for a step-by-step guide in the video you can see how I plant some brand new Sundews I bought last year.

Employ Suitable Soil

Sundews require specific soil to be healthy. Drosera can’t grow in standard compost or potting soil like MiracleGro due to the richness in nutrients. Instead, you must employ a mixture of these nutritionless elements:

• Long fibered sphagnum moss
• Peat moss
• Silica sand
• Perlite

Make Sundew soil by combining one type of moss with sand or perlite. For example, you can employ a 3:1 ratio of peat moss and perlite. Or a 3:1 ratio of long-fibered sphagnum moss with sand. The ratio do not have to be exact, but including sand or perlite is very beneficial.

Sand or perlite in the potting medium provides better drainage and aeration, which ultimately promotes growth.

You can buy the ingredients listed above and make carnivorous plant soil or buy it online.

Here is the amazon link of the carnivorous plant soil I use for my carnivorous plants. It is affordable, safe, and very effective: https://amzn.to/3uVbg39. I sometimes make my own soil when I am repotting many plants, but buying it is always a practical option.

Water Type and Watering Instructions

Avoid at all costs using tap water and most bottled water to water Drosera. Such water contains too many minerals and nutrients and is not safe for your plant. These plants require low mineral water. To keep your plants healthy, only employ pure water, such as:

• Rainwater
• Distilled water
• Reverse osmosis water

To water Sundew appropriately, I recommend using the water tray method. Using this method is very simple. You just need to place your potted sundews on a tray. Then, fill up the tray with water up to half of the height of the pot. Once some of the water is consumed, usually down to1/3 of the height of the pot, you add more water.

Most pots come with their own trays, but if needed, you can use any container as a tray. I use these large plastic trays to hold multiple of my plants.

Overall, you want to avoid materials such as terracotta, clay, unglazed ceramic, and metal for your water tray.

The Best Containers for Carnivorous Plants

If you have other carnivorous plants make sure to check my guides on pots and growing containers for Pitcher Plants and Venus Flytrap:

The Best Pots for Pitcher Plants Plus Potting Guide

The Best Pots for Venus Flytraps – Complete Guide

Sundew Care 101

Here is a short overview of the most critical consideration when growing Sundews.

• Soil: Employ nutrient-free and fertilizer-free soil—a mixture of peat moss or sphagnum moss with peat or silica sand is a good option.
• Lighting: Sundews need lots of light. You can employ artificial or natural light. The minimum amount of light exposure is 6 hours. Optimally, provide 8-12 hours of light or more.
• Watering needs: keep the soil humid at all times. Employ the water tray method to keep the soil moist.
• Feeding: Only feed indoor plants; outdoor plants capture their own food. When feeding, employ bugs and only feed once or twice a month.
• Trimming: Use sharp scissors to trim dead leaves when necessary.
• Humidity needs: Sundews thrive in humid environments
• Use of Fertilizers: It is possible to fertilize Sundews, but it must be done with care. Do not fertilize unless you are experienced.
• Temperature: Each specie of sundew has temperature range requirements, make sure to research the appropiate climate for your plant.
• Dormancy: Some sundews require dormancy periods.

It is safe to let sundews flower. Sundews can flower multiple times before experiencing a slowdown in growth. Depending on your individual goals, you must decide if prioritizing your sundew’s growth or collecting seeds.

I own several sundews, and they have flowered multiple times. After lots of research on the subject of flowering plus my personal experience, I decided to write this article. I will explain the best strategies to keep your sundew healthy during the blooming process.

Should I Cut the Flower off My Sundew?

It is not uncommon for Drosera to produce flowers. Sundews can produce multiple flower year round.

When they start growing the flower stalks, you must decide whether you cut the flower stalks or let them continue to grow.

For other carnivorous plants, it is highly recommended to stop the flowering process. For example, Venus flytraps tend to lose tons of energy with the flowering cycle. Letting your plant flower means slowing down their growth substantially for the whole season. However, sundews do not undergo the same effect when they bloom.

Sundews do not die due to the flowering process. The plant employs some energy to produce flowers, but the process won’t kill it or slow down its growth significantly. It is entirely safe to let your drosera flower.

If you are interested in propagating your sundew by collecting seeds, feel confident about letting your sundew flower. However, I recommend letting your sundew flower enough to collect the seeds but consider cutting flower stalks you do not need.

When sundews flower multiple times in a short period of time, their growth can start slowing down. For that reason, it is not always recommended to let your sundew flower continuously.

For best results, allow your sundew to flower once or twice to collect seeds, but consider cutting off any other flower stalks. The flowering process can be exhausting for the plant if it repeats multiple times throughout the season.

I personally feel confident about letting my sundew flower because I am interested in collecting seeds. But, one flower stalk tends to be enough. Each stalk usually develops multiple flowers. So, from a single flower stalk, you can collect dozens of seeds.

Here is a summary of the best strategies on the flowering process:

Keep on reading this article to get more details about the flowering process and how to propagate your sundew.

How to Remove Sundew Flowers Stalks

Removing the flower stalks from your sundew is an easy process.

As soon as you spot a flower stalk growing out of your sundew, use a sharp pair of scissors to cut it off.

You can cut off the stalk close to the center of the plant, but while you do it, make sure you do not damage any surrounding leaf.

For best results, cut the flower stalk off as soon as you spot them. Letting the flower stalk grow minimizes the positive effects of removing the stalks.

The Sundew Flowering Process

Not everyone is aware that sundews flowers. Because of their carnivorous nature, the flowering process in sundews is sometimes a surprise.

Some sundews flower year-round, while others only flower seasonally. Sundews produce long flower stems which develop multiple flowers. The flowers grow well above their leaves and keep pollinators away from their deadly tentacles.

Many sundews self-pollinate. Self-pollination means that plant mechanisms ensure the flowers pollinate independently without the need for any external help.

Collecting seeds from self-pollinating sundews is very easy. You just let your plant grow its flower. Then, when the flower dries up, you can collect the seeds from the dried-up flowers.

The condition of your sundew can influence their flowering capabilities. Sundews growing at optimal conditions tend to flower often.

To increase the production of flowers in your plant, focus on three elements: water, lighting, and feeding.

Make sure you water your sundew properly. This guide can help you master the process. But, in summary, you want to keep the soil wet at all times. When the soil dries up, the plant suffers and might take several days or keeps to recover.

In terms of lighting, sundews thrive in sunny locations or under bright grow lights. Make sure your sundew receives several hours of light (optimally, 12+ hours).

Finally, the feeding is process is critical for propagation. Sundews capture insects to extract vital nutrients. Without access to bugs, sundews do not thrive.

Keep your sundew healthy by placing it in a location where plenty of insects are available. Alternatively, you can feed your plant manually. A single bug every 2-4 weeks can make a tremendous difference in the state of your plant.

Sundew Seed Collection and Propagation

Most sundews take several weeks or even months to produce seeds. Flowers buds tend to take a long time to flower and dry up.

During the flowering process, be patient. Please do not attempt to collect seeds until the flower stalk is ready and full of them.

Sundew seeds are tiny and come in bunches. If you want to collect many of them, cut off the flower stem once the flower is ready and carefully collect the seeds in a container, a Ziploc bag or a paper envelope are solid storage options.

Growing sundews from seeds is not a particularly challenging process. The seeds can be sowed under the same conditions adult sundews live. However, you must focus greatly on the humidity. The growing medium must remain wet, and the environment must have a high humidity index.

You can follow the care considerations below to care for mature sundews or seedlings.

Sundew Care Considerations

Not all Drosera species have the same needs. However, they share many characteristics. This list is a concise guide on how to care for Sundews. The first three items are the most critical: soil, lighting, and water.

Soil: Employ carnivorous plant soil to grow sundews. Carnivorous plant so is nutrient-free and fertilizer-free. An example of carnivorous plant soil is a mixture of peat moss or sphagnum moss with perlite or silica sand. The perlite or sand is not required, but it can be beneficial as it ads drainage and aeration. Here is a link to high-quality carnivorous plant soil you can buy online.

Lighting: Sundews thrive when they live in sunny environments. They can grow healthy under artificial or natural light as long as they have extended hours of lighting. You must provide a minimum of 6 hours of light exposure every day. 12+ hours of light is optimal. If you plan to employ artificial lighting, here are a few lights I have used for my Sundews:

• Small plant light for 1-4 plants: https://amzn.to/2RsGlxr
• T8 LED light fixture for multiple plants (6500k Cool White): https://amzn.to/3uWoeh2

Watering needs: Only use ro water, distilled water, or rainwater for your plant. Never water your sundew with tap water or bottled water.

Employ the water tray method to keep the soil wet all the time.

Feeding: Sundews grow healthy when they have access to bugs. Sundews living outdoors capture their own food, but indoor plants might require your help. Use live bugs or rehydrated dead bugs to feed your plant every 2-4 weeks.

Use of Fertilizers: Avoid fertilizing Sundews to prevent damage. instead of fertilizing, consider feeding your plant, it much more beneficial.

Trimming: You can trim dead leaves out of your sundew when they wither. Please wait until the leaf has withered entirely and use sharp scissors to trim them when necessary.

Humidity needs: Keep humidity levels between 40% and 70%. A humidifier is a practical solution to increase the humidity indoors.

Dormancy: Some sundews require dormancy, which is a period of several months of inactivity. Please find out the dormancy needs of your specific Sundew to keep it healthy. Dormant sundews sometimes require special care.

Repotting: Avoid repotting your Sundew unless it is strictly necessary. Most Sundews can stay in the same pot for several years.

I hope you found this guide to be useful! Here are a few more resources which can be useful for you:

• Drosera Capensis Care Instructions with Care Sheet
• Drosera Spatulata Care Instructions (with care sheet)
• How to Properly Water a Sundew: Water Type, Tips, and Guide
• List of recommended products to grow carnivorous plants

As a general rule, Sundews should be watered with pure water and kept in humid to damped soil. They must be kept in trays filled with water up to one-half of the height of the plant’s pot. Pure water includes distilled water, reverse osmosis water, and rainwater.

Sundew plants are beautiful, with their colorful leaves and mesmerizing shapes. Even though they seem delicate, they are not hard to keep alive. This article will teach you exactly how to water your Sundew to keep it healthy.

How to Water Sundews (Complete Instructions)

Before you attempt to water a Sundew, you must get the correct water. This is of crucial importance as the incorrect water can kill them.

Sundews are carnivorous plants, and therefore are intolerant to the minerals present in most water. So, what water is safe for Sundews.

Distilled water, reverse osmosis water, and rainwater is safe for Sundews. Never water Sundews with tap water or bottled water, as these contain large amounts of minerals that are very harmful to them.

If you are unfamiliar with how to make or where to get distilled water, reverse osmosis water, or rainwater, read the next section to get all the details.

Now, I will explain the specifics of how to water Sundews.

When watering Sundews, you have two options: water them from the top or bottom. Watering from the tops means pouring water directly into the soil, while watering from the bottom means adding water to the plant’s water tray.

Sundews prefer to be watered from the bottom by employing the tray method. Watering from the top is not harmful to Sundews, but it tends to slow down their growth, as the water can wash away the plant’s dew drops.

Here are the instructions of how you should water a Sundew with the tray method:

1. Get pure water for your Sundew.
2. Grab a tray or container that can act as a tray for your plant
3. Place your Sundew in the tray
4. Add water directly to the tray until you reach one-half of the height of your plant’s pot.
5. Then, as the water level lowers over time water again to keep it at the initial level.

Here is a picture of some of my Sundews growing in their trays with water. Watering from the bottom keeps them healthy and saves me time, as I do not have to water constantly. I fill the tray, and the water lasts for several days. Once it lowes from 1/2 to 1/3 of the height of the pot, I refill.

If you decide to water your Sundew from the top, try not to splash water on top of the leaves and make sure you water often enough to keep the plant healthy.

How much water do Sundews need?

The amount of water you employ for Sundew will vary through the seasons and depending on the size of your plant. Still, you can follow this general rule:

Sundews need to be watered often to keep the soil constantly wet. They thrive in damped, water-logged conditions. Water Sundews often by employing the tray method and keeping the tray with water at all times.

Many people hesitate about growing their Sundews sitting in water because most plants suffer in water-logged conditions. However, Sundews thrive in such environments.

It is safe to let Sundews sit in water. GrowingDrosera in a tray filled with water is a common and effective practice that allows growers to keep a high moisture level in the soil. The water in the tray also assists by providing high humidity levels.

Now, let’s explore more details about the specific water to employ with Sundews.

What Water is Safe for Sundews

Most people water their plants with Tap water, which is safe for most plants. However, carnivorous plants are a bit tricky in this aspect.

Sundews require water with low to no mineral content. Preferably, they must be watered with pure water sources that do not contain minerals, electrolytes, or any additives.

Distilled water, reverse osmosis water, and rainwater are the safest options for Sundews.

Some tap water or bottled water can be safe for Sundews; however, this is not always the case. Unless you plan on testing the composition of the water, I recommend sticking to pure water.

Where To Get Water for Your Sundew

I grow carnivorous plants, so I know the struggle of always having to look for special water for my plants. But, don’t worry, I have simplified the process.

Distilled water: You can buy distilled water at the grocery store. I buy a distilled water jug every few weeks for less than a dollar, and it is all I need. For your reference, here is a picture of the distilled water I buy.

You can also make distilled water at home. I explain the complete process in this article: Easy Method to Make Distilled Water. 

Rainwater: Rainwater is fairly easy to collect in many places. If you live in a rainy location, consider a rain collection system.

Reverse osmosis: RO water is a bit harder to get but is sometimes available in water stores or at home if you have an RO system installed.

A Practical Alternative:

Filtered water is usually unsuitable for carnivorous plants, as most filters do not eliminate the minerals we want to avoid. However, there is one water filter product that fulfills the requirements of sundews.

ZeroWater water filters work well for carnivorous plants. It is the only water filter (that I am aware of) that filters dissolved solids. With ZeroWater, you can reduce the part per million (ppm) from tap water to bottled water to ZERO.

With ZeroWater, you can filter tap water or bottled water and use the filtered water for your Sundews!

Tips for Watering Sundews

Here are tips to make sure your sundew remains healthy with the watering you provide

• Never let the soil of your Sundew dry out. A dried-up soil can kill Sundews very quickly.
• Research if your specific Sundew undergoes dormancy. During dormancy, you should reduce the watering frequency slightly to keep the soil humid but not damp.
• If you water your plant from the top, avoid pouring water on the leaves, as this practice reduces the stickiness of the leaves.
• Instead of misting, consider buying a humidifier.
• Consider adding perlite or sand to the growing medium of your plant to promote aeration.
• The presence of dewdrops in your Sundew is a sign of good growing conditions.

Sundews and Their Humidity Requirements

Most Sundew prefer high humidity environments. Even though they can survive in dry climates, humid environments are optimal to grow large and colorful sundews with lots of dew.

Humidity greater than 40% is optimal for Sundews. High humidity helps the Sundew produce dew-drops and promotes new growth. In dry climates, it is recommended to employ alternative methods to increase humidity levels.

You can increase the relative humidity around your plant by using the water tray method, misting your plant, employing a humidifier, or a terrarium.

The water tray method is effective for watering and for increasing the humidity near your plant.

Misting is not an effective as the other methods, it only increases the humidity momentarily, and it can cause your plant to lose some dew.

Humidifiers are an effective alternative to increase humidity. For best results, run the humidifier consistently every day. Also, you need to employ a product that is powerful enough to produce a meaningful change where your plants live. For example, a small humidifier will provide almost no benefit outdoors or in a very large room.

Terrariums are often used for tropical plants and they can be beneficial for Sundews.

Terrariums can live in terrariums. Close terrariums increase humidity substantially, while open terrariums or tanks provide minimal changes. Consider employing a greenhouse terrarium to store your Sundews.

Keep in mind that terrariums made up of glass can heat up tremendously when placed under direct sunlight.

Sundew Care Guide

Not all Drosera species require the exact same care considerations. However, most will thrive on the same general conditions. This section contains a guide on how to generally care for a Sundew to keep it alive and healthy.

Soil: Employ nutrient-free and fertilizer-free carnivorous plant soil. You can use a mixture of peat moss or sphagnum moss with perlite or silica sand. The perlite or sand is not required, but it can be beneficial for your plant. Here is a link to high-quality carnivorous plant soil you can buy online.

Lighting: Sundews thrive in sunny conditions. You can employ artificial or natural light to fulfill this requirement. Provide a minimum of 6 hours of light exposure every day. And optimally expose to more than 12 of light. If you plan to employ artificial lighting, here are a few lights I have used for my Sundews:

• Small plant light for 1-4 plants: https://amzn.to/2RsGlxr
• T8 LED light fixture for multiple plants (6500k Cool White): https://amzn.to/3uWoeh2

Watering needs: Employ the water tray method to keep the soil wet throughout the year. Only use ro water, distilled water, or rainwater for your plant.

Feeding: Let outdoor plants capture their own bugs. Indoor plants might require your help getting food. Use live bugs or rehydrated dead bugs to feed your plant every 2-4 weeks.

Trimming: Sundews produce dried-up leaves every once in a while. Please wait until the leaf has withered entirely and use sharp scissors to trim them when necessary.

Humidity needs: Keep humidity levels between 40% and 70%. A humidifier is a practical solution to increase the humidity indoors.

Use of Fertilizers: Avoid fertilizing Sundews to prevent damage. Fertilizers build up in the soil and can produce mineral burns and kill the plant.

Dormancy: Some sundews require dormancy, which is a period of inactivity. Please find out the dormancy needs of your specific Sundew to keep it healthy.

Repotting: Avoid repotting your Sundew unless it is strictly necessary. Most Sundews can stay in the same pot for several years.

I hope you found this guide to be useful! Here are a few more resources which can be useful for you:

• Drosera Capensis Care Instructions with Care Sheet
• Drosera Spatulata Care Instructions (with care sheet)
• Venus Flytrap Care Guide
• List of recommended products to grow carnivorous plants

• Soil: Employ nutrient-free and fertilizer free soil—a mixture of peat moss or sphagnum moss with peat or silica sand is a suitable option.
• Lighting: These plants need lots of light. You can employ artificial or natural light. The minimum amount of light exposure is 6 hours. Optimally, provide 8-12 hours of light.
• Temperature needs: They need temperatures between 20 and 35 C (68 – 100 F) during the summer. During the winter, it is recommended that the temperature oscillates over 10 C (50 F).
• Watering needs: Cape Sundews must remain in humid soil at all times. Water often or employ the water tray method to keep the soil moist.
• Feeding: Only feed indoor plants; outdoor plants capture their own food. When feeding, employ bugs and only feed once or twice a month.
• Trimming: Use sharp scissors to trim dead leaves when necessary. Please do not cut off leaves until they have entirely withered.
• Humidity needs: Keep humidity levels between 40% and 70%. A humidifier is a practical solution to increase the humidity indoors.
• Use of Fertilizers: It is possible to fertilize Sundews, but it must be done with care. Avoid fertilizing to prevent damage.
• Dormancy: they do not require dormancy, but their growth can be stalled due to cold weather exposure.

Download this information in a pdf format:

Download Cape Sundew Care Sheet

In this article, I will expand on every detail you need to know about caring for Drosera Capensis. I will give you key strategies to keep them alive and healthy.

Drosera Capensis, also known as Cape Sundew, is a species of carnivorous plant. It is one of the easiest of this genre to breed in captivity. Some of the most remarkable characteristics of this marvelous carnivorous plant are:

• It is a perennial carnivorous plant with rhizomatous roots and about 30 cm high.
• The leaves are linear 6.5 cm long. These leaves grow directly from the substrate, which is why the plant lacks a visible stem.
• Its leaves are covered with trichomes, hairs that secrete a sweet and sticky substance called mucilage, which serves to attract and trap its prey.
• It produces numerous pink flowers of about 1 cm, which open at dawn and close at sunset. These flowers have a one day life only.
• The flowers self-pollinate after closing and produce many small seeds, which fall from the bud once dry.

Some of the most common species that we can have in our garden are:

• Drosera Capensis’ Wide Leaf’: Similar to the type species, but produces broader leaves. Vivid pink flowers
• Drosera Capensis ‘Narrow Leaf’: it differs from the previous variety in the leaves, only 6 mm.
• Drosera Capensis’ Red’: as the name of the variety indicates, it is red, the only characteristic that differentiates it from the ‘Narrow Leaf’ shape. Dark pink flowers.
• Drosera Capensis ‘Albino’: It is also similar in shape to the variety ‘Narrow,’ but its flowers are white, and the trichomes of the leaves are transparent with pale pink glands.

Cape Sundews are native to the African continent, specifically South Africa, although we can find some varieties from Europe or Australia. In nature, they tend to live in humid places and soils low in nutrients, such as swamps, permanent water infiltrations, moist shrub formations at the edge of streams.

Drosera Capensis Care Guide

Now we will explain some of the most important cares that we must know to be successful with this plant in our wonderful hobby of gardening. First of all, we must understand that this plant is recommended to be kept outside, being more challenging to keep this species of carnivorous plant indoors.

Lightning Requirement

Cape Sundews need good lighting to develop correctly. They need at least 6 hours and optimally 8 to 12 hours of sunlight. Like all sundews, it grows very well in the shade, as long as it has very good artificial lighting, although it is recommended that it receive some hours of direct sunlight. It acquires a slight reddish tone when in contact with direct sun. It is essential to avoid the day’s central hours only in summer since it is likely that it could burn our plant if it is not well acclimatized.

Our recommendation for a healthy Cape Sundew is to place it in direct sunlight during winter. However, when summer arrives, we will have to move it to a place where it receives sunlight, but not directly since if the temperatures are too high, our plant could die.

Appropriate Soil

For this species, in particular, we must provide a substrate that maintains humidity well, has adequate drainage capacity, and last but not least, is low in nutrients and minerals. This is because, as we have said before, this carnivorous plant lives in places where the soils are relatively low in nutrients. Therefore, their roots are not prepared to absorb them.

An appropriate soil for Cape Sundews (this is the one I recommend) is a mixture of 50% pure peat moss and 50% perlite. Pure peat fulfills the function of retaining moisture without adding nutrients. On the other hand, the perlite will be in charge of granting good drainage to our substrate.

You can buy carnivorous plants, but making it is not complicated. This article teaches you many options of how to make carnivorous plant soil.

Watering Process

The Drosera capensis needs moisture at all times. For this reason, we must water it generally every two days. A good recommendation would be to water to employ the water tray method, put the pot on a tray with approximately 2.5 centimeters ( 1 inch) of water to absorb the water it needs.

One factor that we must consider when manually watering our Drosera Capensis is that we must avoid wetting our plant’s leaves since this is harmful to it.

Feeding Sundews

We should note that this is where beginners make most mistakes with these carnivorous plants.

Sundews feed in the following way:

First, it attracts and traps its prey, usually insects with the mucilage that it secretes. Later, when the slimy tentacles immobilize the insect, the leaves fold and surround the prey, while the mobile tentacles prevent the target from escaping. The plant acts as an external stomach, which secretes digestive enzymes that break down the prey’s proteins and form a nutritious slurry that is absorbed at the cellular level.

If our Sundew Cape is located outside, it is not necessary to feed it manually. It will search for the food it needs, attracting its prey with the mucilage it secretes. However, if our plant is inside our house and insects have no possibility of reaching the plant by themselves, we can try to feed it manually ourselves. If this is our case, we must bear in mind that this species of carnivorous plant feeds only twice a month, at most three.

When it comes to feeding it, we must add that we only have to provide it with small insects, such as flies or spiders. Likewise, we must avoid giving food such as meat, fish, or anything else that is not insects.

Dormancy Requirement

This type of carnivorous plant is of subtropical order. Cape Sundews do not have a hibernation time, but that doesn’t mean they won’t exhibit change. Depending on which area you grow them, and you have them outside, they also get a bit ugly if it is freezing, it is normal, and they can even lose all the leaves/traps until early spring, which is when they reappear from the roots. So if they become inconspicuous, don’t worry or think they’re dead, not at all. Just a little patience, and as soon as there are more hours of light, they will start to sprout again.

If the area where we live is too cold (freezing temperatures) and this happens, our recommendation is to store the plant in a covered place where the light will shine on it and wait for the winter to end, and place it outside again. It is essential that at this time of year, we do not stop watering it. Another critical factor is that it is not advisable to use heating where we place our plant.

Trimming Instructions

As the summer goes on, the plants begin to slow down their growth, withering more leaves than they create. It is an excellent time to clean the plants and thus prevent the fungus from appearing or rotting withered leaves and being an aesthetic issue.

First of all, we will need small and sharp scissors to have previously disinfected to avoid infections in the cuts. It would also be advisable to have a pair of tweezers to reach difficult places. Once this is done, we do not need anything else; take our plant and start pruning.

Prune all the leaves with a withered appearance or that the part of the trap has already dried. If there is still part of the trap without withering, we will leave it, especially if it has prey since it will always be feeding on it.

Once we have finished pruning, it may happen that much of the central trunk of the plant has been exposed, but there is no problem since we can bury it up to the part where the healthy leaves begin.

Temperature Needs

Cape Sundews will need temperatures between 20 and 35 C (68 – 100 F) during the summer. During the winter, it is recommended that the temperature oscillates over 10 degrees Celsius.

This carnivorous plant can resist high temperatures at 37 degrees ( and temperatures as low as freezing. However, it is not advisable to expose them to these extreme temperatures since they will not withstand them for a long time.

Optimal Humidity Levels

As we have already mentioned in this article, the substrate on which our plant sits must have constant humidity. Concerning environmental humidity, it must be between 40% and 70%.

To increase the humidity of our Cape Sundew, we must avoid spraying it with sprays directly. This is because it is not recommended to wet its leaves. We should not wet its leaves because it can affect the mucilage that it secretes to attract its prey.

The Use of Fertilizers

As we have already said before, this type of carnivorous plant lives in areas where the soil is poor in nutrients, and therefore, its roots are not adapted to absorb them. Due to this, these types of plants have been adapted to be able to hunt insects and thus supply their needs and obtain the necessary nutrients for their growth.

It is not recommended to add any type of fertilizers to the substrate of our Sundew. In the case of doing it, this can be more harmful than beneficial for our plant.

Cape Sundew Propagation

Drosera Capensis is a species of easy propagation, both by seeds and cuttings of leaves or rhizomes’ division. The simplest and most effective way is using seeds, characterizing that these have a high percentage of germination.

The leaf cuttings are obtained from healthy plants, and the method consists of cutting pieces of leaves and sowing in fertile substrate. Propagation by the rhizomes division is carried out by the “water float” method, where the rhizomes are placed in demineralized water until new seedlings start to form.

Dos and Don’t for Growing Cape Sundews

• One of the mistakes that we often make is watering with inappropriate water for these types of plants. Although there is a type of water that is ideal for all plant beings, which is rain, it is very scarce in many places, and we will be forced to use other types. But we should never water with tap water if it is very hard. To check its hardness, we can do it with a TDS meter and introduce the sensor in the water; if it comes out a value lower than 100 (ideally between 0 and 50), we can water with it. Instead, employ distilled water, reverse osmosis water, or rainwater.
• Fertilizers are beneficial for optimal plant growth; however, the roots of carnivores cannot absorb the nutrients directly. For this reason, we must avoid them.
• We must try to touch the traps of our plant as little as possible, not to say that we should not touch them. In the event that hand feeding is necessary, we must try to ensure that only the insect comes into contact with the plant. If possible, we can place it on a single trap without touching the others, in the fastest and cleanest way possible.
• We have a Cape Sundew that neither grows nor wanes, and we wonder why. Perhaps we have also noticed that the leaves get smaller, or even the roots come out through the drainage holes. It is highly likely that the main reason is that it does not have room to grow. Transplantation is a task that we will have to do every two years or so.

For information on carnivorous plant care, read this full guide: Carnivorous Plant Care Guide (From Beginners to Advanced)

This list is a quick summary of the Drosera Spatulata care instructions. You can download this information in a PDF format by following this link. The section below includes a detailed overview of all the items in the summary. Keep reading to get the whole picture.

Download Care Sheet: Drosera Spatulata

Follow this link for a complete overview on carnivorous plant care. The article contains tons of information on several types of carnivorous plants.

Drosera Spatulata Care Guide

Drosera spatulata is a carnivorous plant that widely grows in areas that have moderate or cold temperatures such as Australia, China, Japan, New Guinea, New Zealand, Micronesia, and Tasmania. This plant’s most distinguishing characteristics are its rosette-like structure and multicolored leaves and flowers.

Some people refer to Drosera spatulata as Spoonleaf sundew. This is due to its spoon-shaped leaves or tentacles as others like to call them. Because of its striking color and shape, many are growing this Spoonleaf sundew as an indoor plant for houses, offices, pubs, and other establishments.

Botanists recommend that beginners should opt to grow Drosera spatulata if they wish to learn how to grow sundews. Growing this plant is very easy.

In this article, I’ll be giving you all the essential knowledge for growing Drosera spatulata successfully.

Soil and Pot Requirements

The spoon leaf sundew is a very curious plant. It doesn’t grow well in nutrient-rich soil but prefer’s a barren one instead. 50% silica sand and 50% sphagnum moss is suitable potting media. You can also try employing only sphagnum moss if silica sand isn’t available. Another option is employing peat moss and perlite.

You can buy carnivorous plant soil online, like this one I use. It usually costs less than 10 dollars for a quart. Follow the link to confirm the price on Amazon.

Spoonleaf sundew can grow in any pot as long as it’s not cramped. However, try using moderately sized pots for the best results. I recommend that you use a pot with an opening that measures 9 centimeters, a height of 8 centimeters, and a base of 6 centimeters.

Aside from pots, you can also opt to grow the Spoonleaf sundew using trays. Some botanists love to use trays instead of pots because they’re more spacious. Thus, they don’t risk the Spoonleaf sundew to restricted growth. All trays will do so long as they’re durable. If you’re planning to raise 5 or more Spoonleaf sundews at once, I suggest that you grow them on a tray instead of a pot.

These pots are some good examples of suitable containers for Venus flytraps. Follow the links below to check their specs and their current price on Amazon.

• Nursery pots for single plants: https://amzn.to/34Q6byu
• Net pots for single plants: https://amzn.to/2TMqgDJ

Watering Process

The nutrition of the Spoonleaf sundew mostly come from insects. However, the water that’s crucial for its growth comes from the soil where it growing. This is one of the reasons why the soil for Spoonleaf sundew needs to be a bit sandy. Sandy soil absorbs water well. However, it doesn’t retain it for too long. Thus, it supplies the Spoonleaf sundew with enough water without making things too moist.

What kind of water is best for the Spoonleaf sundew?

Spoonleaf sundews require pure water, such as rainwater, distilled water, and reverse osmosis water. Acidic water isn’t good for this plant because it might affect the growth, color, and durability of leaves and tentacles.

The Spoonleaf sundew doesn’t like watering that’s done haphazardly and forcefully. In the wild, this plant gets water gradually and slowly. Usually, it gets water through light rains and water vapor which moisturize the soil where it grows. The Spoonleaf sundew will be very happy if you can emulate this.

A slow sprinkler best emulates the natural watering process that Spoonleaf sundew experiences in the wild. Small slow sprinklers are available in the market. You can opt to use the manual version or have the automatic one installed. Assuming that you’re Spoonleaf sundew as a hobby, I suggest that you go for the manual version.

You can also opt to use the tray method for watering various Spoonleaf sundews at the same time. The tray method is perhaps the best for watering not only Spoonleaf sundews but other carnivorous plants. This is because it provides moisture gradually and non-excessively. However, note that you can only use the tray method for watering Spoonleaf sundews that are growing on pots.

You only have to do three things to water Spoonleaf sundews with the tray method:

• Get a large and deep tray and ensure that it doesn’t have holes or cracks that might cause leaking
• Fill it with water but remember not to put too much ( the amount should be just enough for the pots’ most bottom portion to get submerged)
• Place the pots which contain the Spoonleaf sundews

Though quite good, one thing that I don’t like about the tray method is that it promotes mosquitoes to frequent in the house. It’s because mosquitoes will come to lay their eggs on the water that’s in the tray. This is an issue when the Spoonleaf sundews are still growing. However, this problem becomes minor after the Spoonleaf sundews reach maturity. Then, mosquitoes get trapped in the plant’s tentacles.

How often to water the Spoon leaf sundews depends on the watering method that you decide to follow. If you use the tray method, it’s best to leave the pots that contain the Spoonleaf sundews soaked for at least a day. After that, there’s no need to water for at least a week. For slow sprinklers, you have to water the Spoon leaf sundews at least twice per week (here is a guide on sundew watering). (here is a guide on sundew watering)..

Temperature and Humidity

Drosera spatulata isn’t very picky about temperature. However, you have to try growing it in a setting that emulates the subtropical conditions of its natural habitat. Specifically, this plant grows at temperatures ranging from 45 – 90 F (7-32 C).

Humidity, on the other hand, isn’t an issue. This plant won’t have problems growing even when the environment is moist or wet. Just remember to maintain its soil in pristine condition and keep it watered.

Also, the Drosera spatulata that comes from New Zealand grows better in a cold setting. Therefore, consider giving this lesser lighting and photoperiod. New Zealand’s Drosera spatulata is a bit sensitive to humidity. So you should buy a cheap humidifier for growing it. The recommended humidity for it is 60%

Lighting and Photoperiod

The Spoonleaf sundew grows well under sunlight. However, consider using fluorescent lights if you’re living in an area where the quality of sunlight is poor. Some even prefer using fluorescent light even when sunlight is already adequate. This is because fluorescent light provides more control and allows you to decide how much photoperiod the Spoonleaf sundew gets.

So what’s the best type of florescent lighting for Spoonleaf sundew? If you’re willing to invest, T-8 lights will do. You can also opt to use T5 lights. However, I think that T-8 lights are the best option because they’re not very warm or bright. For choosing between various kinds of T-8 lights. Go for ones that have a minimum capacity of 50-watts or lower

Spoonleaf sundew requires a minimum of 13 hours or a 16-hour photoperiod to grow well. The photoperiod refers to the duration of a plant’s exposure to light. Adequate photoperiod is important because the Spoonleaf sundew needs a lot of active time trapping insects to get nutrition.

Fertilizers

Does Drosera Spatulata need fertilizers? The big answer is no.

Fertilizers are useless for Drosera Spatulata. The soil plays a very little role in its nutrition. This plant gets most of its nutrients from the insects that get trapped in its tentacles. In fact, putting fertilizers might harm than good. It might make the soil too acidic or too alkaline and thus cause Drosera Spatulata to die.

Instead of using fertilizers, you should ensure that the soil where the Drosera spatulata is growing stays sandy or coarse. Also, avoid making the soil too moist. This plant doesn’t like muddy soil and fine soil. You can avoid this by adjusting the soil composition from time to time.

Feeding Requirement

In most cases, insects get themselves trapped on the leaves of the Spoonleaf sundew. Therefore, there’s no need to catch insects and put them on the leaves yourself. However, it’s another story if you’re growing the Spoonleaf sundew on a location where insects don’t visit often.

You can feed your Sundew manually. Some great food options are mealworms, fruit flies, flies, bloodworms, ants, and gnats.

It takes days for the Spoonleaf sundew to require feeding again. Enzymes that it releases often digest the insect slowly. As a result, the absorption of nutrients doesn’t happen in a flash. You’ll know that the Spoonleaf sundew requires feeding again as soon as one or more of its tentacles are widely opened.

Does Drosera Spatulata Undergo Dormancy?

Drosera Spatulata that comes from China, Japan, Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania, doesn’t undergo dormancy. They don’t grow differently through the winter. Due to their lack of dormancy, this species is considered an excellent plant for first-time carnivorous plant owners.

Pruning

The Spoonleaf sundew is a small plant. After growing fully, it might only reach a maximum width of 1 or 3 inches. As it grows, some of its leaves will wither. You can safely prune the dead leaves. However, you must avoid trimming any healthy leaves. This plant greatly relies on its spoon-shaped tentacles to capture insects. Trimming healthy leaves can kill the plant.

Repotting

Repotting a Sundew isn’t hard. If you decide to transfer a Spoonleaf sundew from a tray to a pot, remember not to put it out of the soil. Instead, you should transfer this plant to the pot with the soil where it’s planted. Repotting doesn’t inflict abnormalities on the growth of Spoonleaf sundew. It will grow as usual after it’s transferred.

Propagation

The Drosera spatulata propagates through different methods, such as seeds, leaf cuttings, and divisions.

Existing Drosera spatula produces seeds through self-pollination. The seeds come from the flowers that it produces. The amount of seeds is relative to the number of flowers. If nutrition is good, Drosera Spatulata produces 10 or 20 flowers that provide several seeds that take 3 weeks to germinate.

If you decide to grow this plant from a seed, avoid burying it deeply. Also, ensure that the soil isn’t too cold or moist for germination to occur.

Do’s and Don’t For Growing Spoonleaf Sundews

Do

• Plant the Spoonleaf sundew in a pot that contains a soil which is a mix of sand and sphagnum moss
• Water this plant slowly
• Provide this plant with a lengthy photoperiod
• Use fluorescent lighting for growing this Spoonleaf sundew indoors
• Feed your plant regularly if it does not have access to feed

Don’t

• Grow Spoonleaf sundew in a location where insects don’t frequent
• Use acidic water for watering this plant
• Employ soil with fertilizers
• Use strong insecticides and fertilizers while growing this plant

Growing Drosera Spatulata Indoors

Drosera Spatulata can be grown outdoors or indoors. However, indoors provide a more controllable environment. Therefore, growing this plant inside is the best option that ensures success. What you need for growing Drosera spatulata indoors are adequate lighting, pots, trays, and a slow sprinkler.

The things that I’ve discussed earlier apply best for growing this plant inside the house or any other building. Aside from control, other reasons that you’ll enjoy when growing this plant indoors are better growth, protection against disease, less sensitivity to environmental conditions, etc.

Drosera spatulata looks very beautiful. Nevertheless, appearance is only one benefit that this plant brings. Drosera spatulata can help with the prevention of insect infestation if you manage to grow lots. That said, this might be what you need for making the indoors look good and insect free.

Besides the Drosera Spatulata, there are many other fascinating carnivorous plants you can own. This article contains a list of 10 carnivorous plants, it gives you a plant overview for each and shows you pictures.